Here’s an overview of what’s doable for homeowners when they’re maintaining home heating boilers:
- First, check the vent pipe leading to your roof for holes, loose joints between segments and debris, such as leaves or bird’s nests that may clog the vent.
- Look around and under your boiler for dripping or other evidence of water leakage. Any unexplained pooling on the floor should be brought to the attention of a qualified service technician.
- Locate the pressure relief valve on the side of your boiler, as well as the discharge pipe that leads away from the valve. While your boiler is at operating temperature, see if you can feel the warmth of hot water passing through the discharge pipe. Also, listen for the sound of water spurting out of the valve. Either of these may identify a leaky pressure relief valve or a valve opening due to excess pressure or temperature. Report this problem to your HVAC contractor immediately.
- Next, inspect your boiler expansion tank for proper air pressure. Your valve reading should be within manufacturer’s specs—usually between 12 to 15 psi. Readings above this range usually indicate excess water in the expansion tank and should be checked by a heating service person immediately. You can often guess the state of your tank by feeling the side. When your boiler is operating, the tank should feel uniformly warm or hot from top to bottom. If the bottom feels cooler than the top, this usually signifies water accumulation that must be drained by a service professional.
For more information on maintaining home heating boilers, or to schedule an appointment to see a certified technician, contact Warner Service today!
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